EK growth centered on ME/Africa..

[beaucaire]

INteresting statement from Sheik Maktoum ,head of Emirates,who sees a challenging 2009 ahead but also a year of opportunities.
"..“Instead, we will concentrate on strengthening our presence on routes where there is a greater demand from our customers. All of our new capacity will be deployed in markets where we see growth potential, particularly Africa and the Middle East.”

So there is growth in Africa and SN should not de-focuss on this aviation gold-mine..

http://www.dubaicityguide.com/geninfo/n ... wsid=22803

[Darjeeling]

Africa is doing a bit better than other continents... It's "less worse" considering the economic downturn.
Ask AF, BA and LH e.g.
But EK has a niche goldmine market there: the Africa-China market.